Not Starting!

[Joshy 0]

Hello there

 

I've been meaning to make a first post for a while, but didn't think it would be regarding a problem!

 

I have recently bought a 1990 205 XS as my first car. After reading so many rave reviews about people who have had them as first cars, the second I found a good XS locally I snapped it up (the fully documented history, goodwood leather interior, goodwood 309 speedlines, GTi trims and 4 branch manifold were just a bonuses ).

 

Now I've discovered that my car doesn't like starting from "hot". The other night I drove maybe 3 miles before stopping off a petrol station. When I can back to starting my car I turn the key and... nothing. All the electrics work, there's a click from a relay in the glovebox, but no effort to start what so ever, no cranking, nothing!

 

What strikes me is that it does exactly the same thing when the immobiliser is not switched off. The car has a magnetic immobiliser (I'm told this was factory fitted?), but I haven't been able to find too much info regarding it.

 

Waiting for the immobiliser to arm itself and then re disabling it didn't help (I tried that for an hour ). So just when I gave up and was ringing the AA, I tried disarming the immobiliser and starting the car up and... It sprung into life! It stalled as I forgot to pull the choke out, but that didn't matter as it started straight up again!

 

Does any have information on this magnetic immobiliser (and if I may be cheeky, ask for somebody to post/PM how to safely disable it fully, preferably while keeping the flashing red LED active)? Am I right in thinking that this is an immobiliser issue, or should I be looking else where?

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

 

Josh

Edited April 4, 2009 by Joshy

[Anthony 1,003]

Could be an immobiliser, or could be a dying starter - they can give issues not cranking when hot if they're dying.

 

If you've got a multimeter, it should be easy enough to identify where the problem is - check for +12v at the starter solenoid wire with the key in the "crank" position when the car doesn't want to play ball. If there's voltage there and it's not cranking, then suspect a starter related issue, whereas if there's no voltage there, then suspect the immobilser.